Joshua was one of the original Israelites that at the time of spying out the promise land had seen the land of promise and was ready to go to battle and enter the promise land of Israel. Yet because of the people's fear they did not go into the promise land, those that feared would die in the wilderness and not get to enter the promise land. Moses also would never enter into the promise land but would stand on the edge of the promise land and look over the mountaintop into Israel. Now God has promise Joshua that he would lead the people into the promise land and the children of Israel will possess the land, and he would divide the land up among the children of Israel. God is speaking, encouraging Joshua to obey him and to follow him and he would go forth with him into the promise land in this passage.

God's word had been proven to Joshua from the time of the wilderness, a time of him learning to lead and be a spokeman for the people of Israel to God, following in Moses footsteps so to speak. Yet victory comes not by following man, but following God's instructions. Joshua had been approved by God to be a leader that would follow his commandments, follow his direction. This time of encouragement by God was to tell Joshua, it is time to lead the people now and not later. By God encouraging Joshua to lead the people into the land of promise was because the people were ready to received it. He could divide the land and give a portion to each tribe as God has promised the children of Israel.

I got to thinking today how often we need instructors to teach how to divide the word of truth of God correctly. Joshua was going to divide land, but many ministers have had to divide the truth of God's word, in regards of learning about those things that often divide a church, a Bible study group or even a Sunday School class. For example this passage starts with the discussion of Moses being dead so now Joshua can lead the people in. We know that Moses was never to enter the promise land, because of his sin, but the children of Israel had a generation that did not fear God that would not enter into the promise land either. This generation now standing would receive the promise of God promised to the children of Israel/Isaac the son of Abraham.

Children of Israel were ready to claim their inheritance and to go with faith in the land of promise, not because they seen the plagues or the victories of old, but because they had faith and hope before them. Where is the line drawn. Where is the hope of faith seen. It is not when the children of Israel stood the first time and ready to enter the promise time, it is the second time this event occurs. The first group were always crying to God but never with faith even when God provide with provisions, the new group found faith in God to know the hope a reality and held to the promise of hope. There hearts prepared to receive the promise. Joshua was ready with a little encouragement from God to lead Israel into the promise land.

Ministers lead the people to the cross but it is the rightfully dividing the word of truth of scripture that saves many believers from falling to the wayside. Majority of people are busy doing the will God and working to take time to search for truth. Minister comes along and divides it readily so the people can receive it. Then you have ministers that get off the beaten trail chasing after one idea or another without dividing the word of truth and seeking God for that explanation, that often and will divide the church world. God puts us all back together under the direction of the cross. The tangent the divider, the leader of faith only need to help set the record of the devil's confusion straight. Yet when he not trust God for the answer another division is made without thought or reason.

When God's word comes to pass and proven correct the man of God can lead the people forward in life's journey. As a believer we are on this side of Jordan, but we will one day cross into the promise land to receive our inheritance from God. We can be like the first group of unbelief with evidence or we can be like the second group a foundation of faith had been establish by the word of truth. Moses nor those without faith did not enter into the promise land of this earth, but did the promise land of God has promised in heaven. Prophesy fulfilled, and that prophecy is still true today concerning the gates of heaven and the gates of the New Jerusalem the city of God that being built for the children of God. The new ark and a new covenant for the believers in Christ so that will live in the new eternity with God.

Tangents cause division, God word is the encouragement of faith. God spoke to Joshua to bring encouragement not division to his heart, he been ready the first time to enter the promise land. His faith standing through the wandering the wilderness a little long, but he had encouraged others to have faith as well. To journey with God we must meditate on his word and trust in his promise. To meditate on his instruction to the children of faith. Meditate on what God speaks to the heart and to share it.

God wants to strength and to encourage us, not leave us wandering in the desert forever. Though at times we might feel we wandering around, God is our encourager. We only need to know God is on our side. Devil had been plaguing me the other day with thoughts of confusion and I wonder what I was going to do about a situation in my life, and God revealed to me something I had not understood by a course of similiar events. Then I realize what had been spoke to me in similiar situation had been true, but I could not understand it until i was on the otherside of the picture. Often we can only view it from one point of view until we stand in the other persons shoes. In truth it brought healing to my soul. It was the balm I needed to be heal of the situation. That was God's mercy.

Where are you today in dividing God's word correctly so you can receive the promise land of faith. We can allow the tangents to divide or we can conquer the enemy by becoming united together in faith, by seeking God's answers and not our own. The devil loves to divide every person he can from obeying God's word and seeking God for the answer. God wants us to be encouraged to follow him, and to seek him for truth. God's prophesy of truth no doubt echoed in Joshua mind as Moses died and the last of those that had been in the wilderness without faith passed on. Had his victory to come been realized in his heart, I suspect so.

Dear Heavenly Father, encourage our hearts with your word and your promises. Help us to divide your word correctly so we can go straight into the land/through the door of hope and promise at your design. In Jesus precious name, Amen.

Continual Scripture Study: 2 Timothy 2:15-19 KJV
15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.
17 And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;
18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.
19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.